Poor George.  The home he loved so dearly played a large part of his early demise.  Within 2 years his wife, Martha, died and Mount Vernon began its spiral into neglect.  Mount Vernon was never successful as a private home after his death.  After falling into near ruin the estate was bought in 1858 by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association.  They have painstakingly restored it to its former beauty.  Mount Vernon is second only to the White House in the number of visitors it welcomes; a fit and beautiful tribute to the father of our country.

Mount Vernon Palladian Window

When we look at the years following Washington’s death we see that the 7th period and 8th period water stars were not supported.  This explains why the mansion had deteriorated so badly in those years.   With no support, there would be no money. 

In 1853 the Mount Vernon Ladies Association was formed to purchase Mount Vernon for $200,000.  Period 9 was ruling and the water star had its water.  The water was headed down the river, so wasn’t strong, but it still was enough to help bring the mansion to the attention of patriots who would contribute what they could to bring Washington’s house back to its previous glory.  Wealth had returned to Mount Vernon, but it would be another 40 years before it would get comfortable.  In 1904 the 3 water star was back in the Potomac, bringing home vibrant energy once more.

Cattle at Mount Vernon

The President and Mrs. Washington returned from Philadelphia in 1797 when he completed his second term as President.  The period changed in 1784 to period 6.  Because President Washington would spend six to eight hours a night in bed, and another three hours or more each day in his study, the office side of the house is the most influential on his life in these last two years. 

At Mount Vernon, the 6th period mountain star and the 2 water star are in the Potomac River.   In 1799 the 2 annual is in the river at the rear of the house, and the 5 annual is being carried in with each meal from the kitchen.  Both of these stars are capable of bringing sickness.

President Washington had retired to Mount Vernon, content and determined to live out the rest of his days at home and at peace, away from politics and power, enjoying his family and his beautiful home.  His happy retirement wouldn’t last nearly long enough.

President Washington became ill on the 12th of December 1799 and died two days later on the 14th, at home in his bed of a throat infection, most likely brought on by a chill from exposure to snow and ice.  Perhaps the most interesting part of the chart is the 7 water star.  The 7 represents head and lungs. The 7 defines the sickness that killed President Washington.  With the 5 and 2 combining to cause sickness, the 7 comes into the mix from the window at the front of the house, and President Washington dies from an infection in his throat, the connector of head and lungs. He was 67 years old.

Mount Vernon was perfectly suited to be the home of the young soldier who was appointed as Commander of the Virginia Militia and later promoted to Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.  It supported him in his campaign to develop a strong federal government, break from British rule, and even his eventual election as the first President of the United States. There is a time and a season for everything.  That the house supported General Washington’s bravery and determination was appropriate when he was a younger man.  As an elderly statesman this same bravery and determination kept him out in foul weather when he should have headed for home. His resistance was down, and he contracted a fatal throat infection after working outside in the snow and becoming chilled.

So, the moral to the story, you ask?   A house that supports a military man, a leader and a president may not be a good house for a retired statesman.

It’s my belief that the house was intended to support the country, through the man. 

The Feng Shui of Mount Vernon – Bottom Line

George Washington had most of the work on Mount Vernon done while he was away from home. 

Fifth Period: 1764-1784

Between 1774 and 1778 the study, master suite, and the new dining room were added to the mansion.  Period 4 had ended in early 1764, and Period 5 had begun.

The wings were added one at a time, with some time in between.  The study wing was the first to be built.  This section was less than half the size of the old portion, and the family did not move out for the renovation.  The main entrance to the house was through the central hallway doors, filling the new section with stars determined by the period 4 chart. The period would not have changed to a period 5, even though the additions were made then. 

General Washington left in 1774, soon after beginning renovations on the study side of Mount Vernon.  He would be fighting the Revolutionary War before the study was finished.   

When we look at the 4th period chart, (in the 5th period) after the addition of the study wing but before the addition of the new dining room, we find that the 1 and 6 mountain stars occupy the space where Washington’s study is located. 

This unfinished (and for the most part uninhabited) portion would have served as an interior mountain for those stars, busy on many days with workers, but quiet more often than not. This is a 4th period chart in the 5th period, so the 5′s are in charge of health and wealth.  The 5 mountain star is in the Potomac, which can be bad for the health of the family, and the 5 water star is in the center, normally not good for wealth, however because of the nature of the house and the location of the Potomac River, in this situation the wealth of the house would have been protected.

We also have to consider the 7 water star.  Coming from the kitchen, (in a separate building to the southwest of the mansion   1-6-7 sector) the servants would bring the 7 as well as the 6 water star when they came through the front door.  These stars would also have access through windows as well.  When the 7 water star meets the 6 mountain star (both metal stars) we have a condition known as “Clashing Swords”.  This combination brings on feelings of irritation and an urge to fight. The attitude of combat is a necessary ingredient for a man who would be in charge of leading others to fight for their freedom.  If Washington had not been so willing, we would have had quite a different result from the Revolutionary War.  He held an army together by being faithful to the cause of freedom and by being willing to put his life on the line to fight tyranny.

At the front door the 1 water star meets the 7 mountain star at the stairway.  As mentioned earlier, the conditions for exile were met.  Here the land does indeed slope, and General Washington most certainly would have felt exiled when he was serving in the war between the spring of 1775 and 1783, when the signing of the Paris Treaty ended the Revolutionary War.  

While he was away his farm manager finished the shell of the study and later the large dining Room. Both were completed when Washington returned in 1783.  By 1784 he was happily settled into his new study.

Walkway at Mount Vernon

The center of the chart changed due to the addition of the large dining room.  Now, instead of the 1 water star coming in the center front door to the 7 mountain we have the 6 coming in.  Since the 6 is the future ruling star, this was good for Washington’s finances, and his military success.

The Feng Shui of Mount Vernon – Part 7 – Flying Star Chart